Top 30 Historically Black Colleges by Average Starting Salary

Editor’s Note:In an earlier release of this report, South Carolina State University was noted as “closed“. This information was incorrectly reported. South Carolina State University is open for enrollment, and producing high earning alumni.

When choosing a college to attend most students don’t factor in how much they can expect to earn upon entering the workforce after graduation. Since college is a major stepping stone into a career, students should look at how much they can expect to earn as a starting salary.

Student loans can mount up and if a student chooses a college that doesn’t offer a good return, they are likely to experience increased difficulty paying back their loans. Paying back college loans will be a monthly payment so students can more easily project their ability of paying by knowing their projected salary upon graduation.

Most students often overlook the fact that a degree from an expensive or highly prestigious school often doesn’t translate into higher earnings. Choosing a school that offers a high starting salary should be one factor that students consider in their choice of education providers.

This report offers insight into average starting salaries by school and school tuition (yearly). These two statistics can be mashed together to help students define how much they can expect to earn and how much they might owe in student loans.

Top Historically Black Colleges by Starting Average Salary

#1

Prairie View A&M University

Prairie View, TX

Starting Salary

$50,000

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $9,461

Out-of-State: $20,928

Prairie View A&M University, also known as PVAMU, is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research and service. It is committed to achieving relevance in each component of its mission by addressing issues and proposing solutions through programs and services designed to respond to the needs and aspirations of individuals, families, organizations, agencies, schools, and communities–both rural and urban. Blacks/African Americans constitute 85% of the undergraduate enrollment and 74% of the Masters level enrollment. Females make up 61% of the total enrollment. Of the 8,343 students in fall 2014, 98% are classified as in–state students. Females constitute 60% of undergraduate degrees awarded and 70% of graduate degrees awarded. Females received 63% of all degrees awarded.

#2

Tuskegee University

Tuskegee, AL

Starting Salary

$49,400

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $19,570

Out-of-State: $19,570

Tuskegee University is an independent and state-related institution of higher education. Its programs serve a student body that is coeducational as well as racially, ethnically and religiously diverse. With a strong orientation toward disciplines which highlight the relationship between education and work force preparation in the sciences, professions and technical areas, Tuskegee University also emphasizes the importance of the liberal arts as a foundation for successful careers in all areas. Accordingly, all academic majors stress the mastery of a required core of liberal arts courses

#3

North Carolina A&T State University

Greensboro, NC

Starting Salary

$48,800

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $5,642

Out-of-State: $18,402

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is a public, high research activity, 1890 land-grant university committed to exemplary teaching and learning, scholarly and creative research, and effective engagement and public service. The University offers degrees at the baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral levels and has a commitment to excellence in a comprehensive range of academic disciplines. North Carolina A&T State University’s unique legacy and educational philosophy provide students with a broad range of experiences that foster transformation and leadership for a dynamic and global society.

#4

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Princess Anne, MD

Starting Salary

$48,125

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $7,287

Out-of-State: $16,311

UMES offers an impressive array of accredited degree programs that blend a time-honored curriculum with instruction in contemporary fields such as allied health, aviation science, construction management, criminal justice, engineering, hospitality and tourism management. UMES is a student-centered, doctoral research degree-granting university known for its nationally accredited undergraduate and graduate program, applied research and highly valued graduates. UMES provides individuals, including first-generation college students, access to a holistic learning environment that foster multicultural diversity, academic success, and intellectual and social growth.

#5

Morehouse College

Atlanta, GA

Starting Salary

$48,100

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $26,090

Out-of-State: $26,090

Morehouse Colleges is the only all male historically black institution of higher learning in the United States. Morehouse has a history of producing Renaissance men, like Nobel Peace Laureate Martin Luther King Jr., Spike Lee and more. Morehouse graduates draw on their intellectual astuteness, spiritual discipline and moral compass to improve and advance their communities, the nation and the world. The mission of Morehouse College is to develop men with disciplined minds who will lead lives of leadership and service. President Barack Obama holds an honorary doctorate of laws from Morehouse.

#6

Tennessee State University

Nashville, TN

Starting Salary

$48,100

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $6,930

Out-of-State: $19,650

Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational land-grant university offering 45 bachelor’s degrees and 24 master degrees. Doctoral programs include biological sciences, psychology, public administration, computer information systems engineering, administration and supervision and curriculum and instruction. The university has the largest number of African Americans who have earned bachelor’s degrees in agriculture, agriculture operations and agriculture-related sciences. Researchers at the TSU Center for Automated Space Science were the first to discover a planet outside our solar system.

#7

Howard University

Washington, DC

Starting Salary

$46,400

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $23,970

Out-of-State: $23,970

Howard University, a culturally diverse, comprehensive, research intensive and historically Black private university, provides an educational experience of exceptional quality at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels to students of high academic standing and potential, with particular emphasis upon educational opportunities for Black students. Moreover, the University is dedicated to attracting and sustaining a cadre of faculty who are, through their teaching, research and service, committed to the development of distinguished, historically aware, and compassionate graduates and to the discovery of solutions to human problems in the United States and throughout the world. With an abiding interest in both domestic and international affairs, the University is committed to continuing to produce leaders for America and the global community. Howard is home to the largest repository on Africa and the African Diaspora and seeks to preserve important historical artifacts of the black experience.

#8

Hampton University

Hampton, VA

Starting Salary

$46,100

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $21,760

Out-of-State: $21,760

Rich in history, steeped in tradition, Hampton University is a dynamic, progressive institution of higher education, providing a broad range of technical, liberal arts, and graduate degree programs. In addition to being one of the top historically black universities in the world, Hampton University is a tightly-knit community of learners and educators, representing 49 states and 35 territories and nations. Among Hampton’s earliest students was Booker T. Washington who also became a teacher at HU. Research and public service are integral parts of Hampton’s mission. In order to enhance scholarship and discovery, the faculty is engaged in writing, research, and grantsmanship. Faculty, staff and students provide leadership and service to the University as well as the global community.

#9

Xavier University of Louisiana

New Orleans, LA

Starting Salary

$44,600

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $21,552

Out-of-State: $21,552

The only historically Black, Catholic university in the United States, XULA is a private, liberal-arts based, co-educational institution offering 40 undergraduate majors, five master’s degree programs and a doctor of pharmacy program. More than one-half of its 3,100 students are from Louisiana, but it draws students from nearly all fifty states and 35 countries. Xavier is nationally recognized for its success in the sciences, where it annually leads the nation in the number of African American students earning undergraduate degrees in biology, chemistry and physics. Xavier is also No. 1 in the nation in the number of African American graduates who go on to complete medical school, while its College of Pharmacy – one of only two pharmacy schools in Louisiana – is among the nation’s top four producers of African American Doctor of Pharmacy degree recipients.

#10

South Carolina State University

Orangeburg, SC

Starting Salary

$44,100

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $10,007

Out-of-State: $19,856

S.C. State University is committed to providing affordable and accessible quality bachelor’s programs in the areas of business, applied professional sciences, mathematics, natural sciences, engineering, engineering technology, education, arts, and humanities. A number of programs are offered at the master’s level in teaching, human services and agribusiness, and the educational specialist and doctorate programs are offered in educational administration. SC State has been home to generations of scholars and leaders in business, military service, government, athletics, education, medicine, science, engineering technology and more.

#11

Alabama A&M University

Normal, AL

Starting Salary

$43,300

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $9,096

Out-of-State: $16,596

Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University reflects the uniqueness of the traditional land-grant institution which combines professional, vocational and liberal arts pursuits. The University provides baccalaureate and graduate studies that are compatible with the times to all qualified, capable individuals who are interested in further developing their technical, professional, and scholastic skills and competencies. It operates in the three-fold function of teaching, research, and public service, including extension. A center of substance and excellence, Alabama A&M University provides a setting for the emergence of scholars, leaders, thinkers, and other contributors to society.

#12

Winston- Salem State University

Winston-Salem, NC

Starting Salary

$42,800

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $5,583

Out-of-State: $15,113

With a curriculum that focuses on the whole student, Winston-Salem State University produces graduates who are creative, flexible problem-solvers known for leadership and service. A progressive response to the needs of society is nothing new for this historically black constituent institution of the University of North Carolina. Founded in 1892, WSSU in 1925 became the first African-American institution in the nation to grant elementary education teaching degrees. Students are engaged in active and experiential learning and have access to education through flexible delivery modes. The University is dedicated to the development of students through excellence in teaching, scholarship and service.

#13

Morgan State University

Baltimore, MD

Starting Salary

$42,500

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $7,378

Out-of-State: $16,862

Throughout its history, Morgan State University has served the community with distinction while meeting the educational needs of an increasingly diverse society. Its designation as Maryland’s Public Urban University assures that Morgan will continue to play a prominent role in Maryland’s education future. Students can choose from more than 40 bachelor’s, 30 master’s and 10 doctoral degree programs. Morgan State features one of the nation’s premier choral ensembles, the Morgan State University Choir. The Choir has worked with the New York Philharmonic, the Lincoln Jazz Center Orchestra and the Baltimore Symphony.

#14

Southern University and A&M College

Baton Rouge, LA

Starting Salary

$42,300

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $6,630

Out-of-State: $8,274

Southern University is a global community with students and faculty representing more than two dozen countries. SU graduates now sit in the boardrooms of Fortune 500 companies, are successful entrepreneurs, educators, and work as scientists and engineers at major laboratories and industries around the world. Remarkably for a small urban campus, 10 of Southern University’s students have become generals in the United States military. SU is among the top producers nationally of African American students who earn undergraduate degrees in engineering and nursing. Southern University is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

#15

Florida A&M University

Tallahassee, FL

Starting Salary

$42,300

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $5,785

Out-of-State: $17,725

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) is an 1890 land-grant institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge, resolution of complex issues and the empowerment of citizens and communities. The University provides a student-centered environment consistent with its core values. The faculty is committed to educating students at the undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional levels, preparing graduates to apply their knowledge, critical thinking skills and creativity in their service to society. FAMU’s distinction as a doctoral/research institution will continue to provide mechanisms to address emerging issues through local and global partnerships. Expanding upon the University’s land-grant status, it will enhance the lives of constituents through innovative research, engaging cooperative extension, and public service. While the University continues its historic mission of educating African Americans, FAMU embraces persons of all races, ethnic origins and nationalities as life-long members of the university community.

#16

Bowie State University

Bowie, MD

Starting Salary

$42,100

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $7,299

Out-of-State: $17,875

In addition to its 23 undergraduate majors, Bowie State offers 35 master’s, doctoral, and advanced certification programs. Its advanced research facilities include one of the world’s 100 most powerful supercomputers and a satellite operations control center managed in conjunction with NASA. Bachelor’s degrees can be received in many majors, including communications, computer science, English, fine and performing arts, history and government, mathematics, biology, sociology, criminal justice, business administration, nursing, social work, and education. Graduate programs allow qualified students to pursue advanced levels of study that can lead to a Master of Education, Master of Arts, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Nursing. Doctoral programs offered by the Graduate School include the Doctor of Education and the Doctor of Applied Science in computer science.

#17

Benedict College

Columbia, SC

Starting Salary

$41,400

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $18,288

Out-of-State: $18,288

Benedict Colleges is a private, co-educational liberal arts institution, and enrolls about 3,100 students yearly. Academics are divided into six schools: The School of Business and Economics, The School of Education, The School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, The School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, The School of Continuing Education and The School of Honors. Students may pick from roughly 25 majors with courses in about 50 different programs, along with the continuing education program which offers students three undergraduate degree options.

#18

Grambling State University

Grambling, LA

Starting Salary

$40,800

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $6,525

Out-of-State: $15,744

Grambling State University combines the academic strengths of a major university with the benefits of a small college, a combination that enables our students to grow and learn in a serene and positive environment. We offer more than 800 courses and 70 degree programs in five colleges: College of Business; College of Education; College of Arts & Sciences; College of Professional Studies; including an honors college, two professional schools and, School of Graduate Studies & Research. National and local employers recruit graduates from Grambling’s excellent nursing, computer science, teacher education, and other programs.

#19

Johnson C. Smith University

Charlotte, NC

Starting Salary

$40,700

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $18,236

Out-of-State: $18,236

JCSU is a private liberal arts university with proud HBCU traditions and a future aimed at diversity. The university enrolls approximately 1,600 highly talented and motivated students from various backgrounds. The enriching environment enables students to explore and grow – intellectually, socially, culturally and spiritually – and develop a sense of social responsibility. The University has strong community relationships and strategic partnerships with businesses, corporations and professional groups. As an active community partner, JCSU serves as a catalyst for building and sustaining assets in the surrounding neighborhoods and throughout the city.

#20

Norfolk State University

Norfolk, VA

Starting Salary

$40,600

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $7,552

Out-of-State: $20,236

Norfolk State University is a comprehensive four-year, co-educational, urban institution, located in Norfolk, Virginia on a 134-acre campus. With a student enrollment of nearly 7,000, NSU is committed to increasing undergraduate and graduate degree attainment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, while continuing its longstanding tradition of a strong liberal arts academic program. NSU offers outstanding academic programs, innovative research, scholarship, and global outreach, advancing the transformative power of education to change lives and communities.

#21

Delaware State University

Dover, DE

Starting Salary

$40,500

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $7,336

Out-of-State: $15,692

Delaware State University is a public, comprehensive, 1890 land-grant institution that offers access and opportunity to diverse populations from Delaware, the nation, and the world. Building on its heritage as an HBCU, the University purposefully integrates the highest standards of excellence in teaching, research, and service in its baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral programs. Its commitment to advance science, technology, liberal arts, and the professions produces capable and productive leaders who contribute to the sustainability and economic development of the global community. With a focus on cutting-edge research, technology and business, DSU is at the vanguard of the region’s higher education community. The University offers 53 undergraduate degree options, 25 master’s degree programs and a number of doctoral degree programs

#22

Coppin State University

Baltimore, MD

Starting Salary

$40,200

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $6,624

Out-of-State: $11,885

Coppin State University offers quality undergraduate and graduate programs in teacher education, the liberal arts, mathematics, sciences, technology, and professional disciplines. The University provides educational access and diverse opportunities for students through excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement thus preparing analytical, socially responsible, lifelong learners. Coppin State University builds on a rich legacy of empowering students, promoting community revitalization, and strengthening relationships with local, national, and global partners.

#23

Langston University

Langston, OK

Starting Salary

$39,800

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $4,603

Out-of-State: $11,589

The mission of Langston University is to provide excellent post-secondary education to individuals seeking knowledge, skills and attitudes that will enhance the human condition and promote a world that is peaceful, intellectual, technologically advanced and one that fulfills the needs of nations and individuals alike. Langston University offers post secondary education leading to associate, baccalaureate,masters, and doctoral degree programs. As a University with an urban mission in a rural setting, Langston University has the challenge of educating individuals who will serve their communities in urban centers as well as rural communities. To fulfill the mission, Langston University actively recruits faculty and students who support and complement the purpose and functions of the University.

#24

Texas Southern University

Houston, TX

Starting Salary

$39,300

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $8,126

Out-of-State: $18,986

More than 9,500 students, along with nearly 1,500 faculty and staff comprise the University’s community, and like its curricula, the student body is characterized by diversity. While many of the undergraduate and graduate students enrolled are native Texans, the student and faculty population is represented by almost every state in the country, including the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, and by more than 50 nations. TSU offers an impressive array of undergraduate and graduate programs, a diverse faculty, 80-plus student organizations, and an alumni network comprised of educators, entrepreneurs, public servants, lawyers, pilots, artists, and more, many of whom are change agents on the local, national and international stage.

#25

Bethune- Cookman University

Daytona Beach, FL

Starting Salary

$38,700

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $14,410

Out-of-State: $14,410

Bethune-Cookman University is an institution filled with rich history and beloved traditions, and a strong commitment to academic excellence and community service. B-CU offers 35 undergraduate programs and a master’s degree in transformative leadership. Bethune-Cookman University is a small, private, co-educational, and residential institution. The academic program of the university is conducted within seven schools including: School of Arts & Humanities, School of Business, School of Education, School of Nursing, School of Graduate & Professional Studies, School of Science, Engineering and Mathematics, and the School of Social Sciences. The mission of Bethune-Cookman University is to develop global leaders committed to service, life-long learning and diversity.

#26

Clark Atlanta University

Atlanta, GA

Starting Salary

$38,400

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $21,334

Out-of-State: $21,334

Clark Atlanta University is a comprehensive, private, urban, coeducational institution of higher education with a predominantly African-American heritage. CAU offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees as well as certificate programs to students of diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The university’s students enjoy access academic and co-curricular experiences, from forensic debate, to on-air broadcasting, to cancer research with world-renowned investigators. CAU provides 38 exciting areas of study at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. The school has a 16 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio which allows for one-on-one learning opportunities. Clark Atlanta University’s first-to-second year retention rate is top in the nation for HBCUs at 65%.

#27

Virginia State University

Petersburg, VA

Starting Salary

$37,600

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $8,002

Out-of-State: $17,838

Virginia State University, America’s first fully state supported four-year HBCU, is a comprehensive university and one of two land-grant institutions in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Virginia State offers 55 undergraduate, graduate, and terminal degree programs within five schools: The School of Agriculture; The School of Business; The School of Engineering, Science and Technology; The School of Liberal Arts and Education; and The School of Graduate Studies, Research and Outreach. VSU sits on a 236-acre campus and boasts 16 dormitories, 17 academic buildings and a 416-acre agriculture research facility. The university has one of the highest percentages of black/African American students at 91.1%.

#28

Jackson State University

Jackson, MS

Starting Salary

$36,300

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $6,602

Out-of-State: $16,174

Since 1877, Jackson State University has been providing young men and women opportunities that will empower them to succeed in an increasingly complex world. As the Urban University of Mississippi, Jackson State emphasizes public service programs designed to enhance quality of life and seek solutions to urban problems in the physical, social, intellectual, and economic environments. JSU’s instructional program is comprised of highly qualified faculty members who serve as academic advisors and are engaged in community service and research. Building on its historic mission of empowering diverse students to become leaders, Jackson State University has become recognized as a challenging, yet nurturing, state-of-the-art technologically-infused intellectual community. Students and faculty engage in creative research, participate in interdisciplinary and multi-institutional/organizational collaborative learning teams and serve the global community.

#29

Fayetteville State University, Office of Admissions

Fayetteville, NC

Starting Salary

$35,200

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $4,655

Out-of-State: $16,263

Fayetteville State University is a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina and the second-oldest public institution of higher education in the state. Altogether FSU boasts 43 undergraduate programs, 23 master’s degree programs, and one doctoral program in educational leadership. These programs vary in areas of the arts and sciences, business and economics, and education. ith a growing and diverse student body, a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, an attractive campus with state-of-the-art facilities, and a nurturing faculty, Fayetteville State University offers all of the advantages of a large university while maintaining the atmosphere of a closely-knit liberal arts campus. FSU also boasts one of the lowest crime rates of any institution in the UNC system.

#30

Savannah State University

Savannah, GA

Starting Salary

$35,000

Tuition and Fees

In-state: $5,556

Out-of-State: $15,561

Savannah State University, the oldest public historically black university in the state of Georgia, develops productive members of a global society through high quality instruction, scholarship, research, service and community involvement. The University fosters engaged learning and personal growth in a student-centered environment that celebrates the African American legacy while nurturing a diverse student body. SSU offers graduate and undergraduate studies including nationally accredited programs in the liberal arts, the sciences and the professions. The university’s 4,500 students select majors from 25 undergraduate and five graduate programs in the School of Teacher Education and three colleges: Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Business Administration and Sciences and Technology.

I’m writing to request the headline for South Carolina State University (SCState) is corrected. SCState is not closing. The provis to close SCState did not pass the state of South Carolina House nor Senate. Legislators instead voted and installed a new board of trustees. SCState is open. If you would take the time to review our website http://www.scsu.edu you will see we are still fully operational.